Saturday 3 June 2017 21:23, UK
Phil Mickelson has announced he will not compete in the US Open later this month as the tournament clashes with his daughter's high school graduation.
Mickelson has put family commitments before his pursuit of a career grand slam of major championships, and he has informed the United States Golf Association that he will not be in the field at Erin Hills.
Amanda Mickelson, his eldest daughter, has her graduation ceremony at Pacific Ridge School in California on June 15, the same day as the first round of the US Open.
A report in the New York Times quoted Mickelson as saying: "As I look back on life, this is a moment I'll always cherish and be glad I was present. There's no greater joy as a parent."
Mickelson, who will celebrate his 47th birthday the following day, has endured a number of near-misses in the US Open, finishing runner-up a remarkable six times with four further top-10 finishes.
His first close call in the event was at Pinehurst in 1999 when he was pipped to the title by the late Payne Stewart the day before his wife, Amy, gave birth to Amanda.
Mickelson landed his first major at the 2004 Masters and collected two more Green Jackets in 2006 and 2010 in addition to winning the PGA Championship in 2005.
The left-hander produced one of the best performances of his career to win his fifth major at The Open in 2013, but his memorable triumph at Muirfield remains his last victory worldwide.
